Which concept within the joint framework describes how the Army, as part of the Joint Force, militarily competes, penetrates, dis-integrates and exploits adversaries in the future?

• A. Army Operating Concept (AOC)
• B. Capstone Concept for Joint Operations (CCJO)
• C. Joint Operating Concepts (JOCs)
• D. Defense Acquisition System (DAS)

Answer: (A)

The Army Operating Concept describes how the Army will operate as part of the Joint Force to contest and win in the future. It lays out how the Army will militarily compete, penetrate adversary defenses, dis-integrate their systems and networks, and exploit opportunities through tightly integrated, multi-domain operations with joint partners. This concept guides how the Army develops doctrine, organizes forces, trains, and equips to achieve effects across the security environment and over time.

The Capstone Concept for Joint Operations outlines joint-level principles for the entire Joint Force rather than one service’s approach. Joint Operating Concepts describe joint operating concepts for different domains or functions, not specifically the Army’s method. The Defense Acquisition System governs how DoD programs are funded, developed, and fielded, not how warfighting is conceptually conducted. So the Army Operating Concept is the framework that directly expresses how the Army, within the Joint Force, will fight in the future.